After the sudden shut down of ABS-CBN on May 5, Tuesday, the government says it is planning for the inclusion of the almost 11,000 displaced workers in its financial assistance program for small and medium enterprises for the next two months.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in an interview with PTV that the affected talents, staff members, and crew members of the media giant may claim cash aid worth PHP 5,000 to PHP 8,000, depending on their minimum wage, through the government’s Small Business Wage Subsidy Program.
“Ang alam ko ‘yung programa for SME dapat continuous ang employment. Dahil itong pangyayaring ito na nawalan sila ng trabaho na hindi naman nila ninais, hindi naman sila nag-resign, at hindi naman po nag-voluntarily shutdown ang ABS-CBN, baka maipasok natin sila sa programa ng SMEs para makakuha sila ng panandaliang dalawang buwan na ayuda,” Roque said.
(“I know that the program for SMEs is for those who are still employed. But because these workers have lost their jobs, though they did not resign and ABS-CBN did not voluntarily shut down, it’s possible that we can include them in our program for SMEs so that they can receive aid for two months.”)
ABS-CBN went off-air on Tuesday night after it received a cease and desist order from the National Telecommunications Commission due to the expiration of its legislative franchise.
According to TV host Bianca Gonzalez, Kapamilya bosses assured their employees that they will continue to receive their salary with benefits for the next 3 months.
“For the next three months, wala pong mawawalan ng trabaho due to retrenchment,” Bianca quoted them. “Active ang lahat ng benefits, including medical, sa panahon na ito.”
(“For the next three months, no one will lose their jobs due to retrenchment. All benefits will remain active, including medical, during this time.”)
(ALSO READ: ABS-CBN assures its workers of continued compensation with benefits despite shutdown)
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